I Can Extract Divine Power

Chapter 442: Chapter 168: Are You Worthy of Drinking With Me?

"Thank you for hosting this banquet, Lord Dongfang. I am deeply honored."

With just a few simple words of greeting, the two men had shown each other ample respect.

The exchange went smoothly, with no awkwardness to be found.

Dongfang Li thought to himself.

’Shen Bai looks quite young, but he’s so composed and tactful, completely unfazed by praise or pressure. If he continues on this path, he’s destined for achievements far greater than his current station. Building a good relationship with him is definitely the right move.’

Sometimes, first impressions are what matter most. And Shen Bai’s first impression had caused not only Lord Dongfang but also the other officials and faction leaders to nod in silent approval.

Regardless of his actual power, his unshakeable composure alone made him someone worth knowing.

Dongfang Li gestured and said, "Since Lord Shen is here, please, join me at my table."

There was an empty seat right beside the head table, reserved just for Shen Bai.

Dongfang Li hadn’t expected Shen Bai to bring a Deceitful Beast in human form and was about to ask for another seat to be arranged.

Shen Bai didn’t object and subsequently led Amber to his seat at the head table.

"Let the banquet begin! Please, everyone, enjoy yourselves. No need to stand on ceremony," Dongfang Li announced as soon as he was seated.

Once the host had spoken, the other guests began to pick up their chopsticks.

As is tradition at banquets, the idle chatter began after a few rounds of wine and several courses of food.

Now in human form, Amber was eating human food like this for the first time and found the experience quite novel.

Every so often, Amber would use chopsticks to place some food on Shen Bai’s plate, the very picture of a loyal Deceitful Beast.

Shen Bai was both amused and exasperated, but he ate everything Amber gave him.

"Lord Shen, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ll drink first as a sign of respect."

"Lord Shen, your great name is known throughout the Jianghu. It is an honor to finally meet you. I’ll drink to that!"

"Seeing Lord Shen is like meeting a bosom friend! Your bearing is truly moving, Lord Shen. I simply must drink this toast."

All of them, officials and faction leaders alike, raised their cups and drank.

These faction leaders didn’t represent every power in Nanxing Prefecture, but they were the ones friendly to the government, which was why Dongfang Li had invited them.

Dongfang Li watched the lively scene with a smile.

He had been worried that Shen Bai might have a difficult personality, but it was clear now that the young man was perfectly tactful and knew how to handle himself.

He then turned to converse with Shen Bai directly.

"Lord Shen, do you have a specific plan for your time here?" Dongfang Li asked.

Shen Bai downed the wine in his cup and smiled. "I’ll just be following the Observatory’s standard procedures."

This statement was a great reassurance to Dongfang Li. It told him that with Shen Bai in charge of the Observatory, order would soon be restored.

Dongfang Li chuckled. "I’ve already heard. The thirty recent disturbances were all resolved in a single day. Lord Shen, your methods are truly swift and decisive. I am deeply impressed."

Shen Bai returned the professional flattery. "And since my arrival, I’ve seen the common folk overjoyed, filled with happiness. Lord Dongfang, your governance must be excellent. I am no match for you."

"In Nanxing Prefecture, it’s essential that our two top institutions cooperate and support each other."

"That is the only way for things to improve."

"Precisely. I’m relieved that you understand, Lord Shen. Come, let’s drink!" Dongfang Li clinked his cup against Shen Bai’s and drained it.

Then, he added one more thing.

"Lord Shen, if you run into any difficulties here in Nanxing Prefecture, please don’t hesitate to speak with me. I will provide you with all the assistance within my power."

"Of course," Shen Bai laughed heartily. "And if you, Lord Dongfang, ever have a matter you find inconvenient to handle yourself, you may come to me at the Observatory. I will certainly lend my full support."

To the uninformed, their exchange might have seemed unremarkable, but many of the officials and faction leaders who overheard it were already calculating its implications.

It meant that the Government Office and the Observatory would be working in close concert for the duration of Shen Bai’s appointment.

With the two of them allied, the prosperity of Nanxing Prefecture was sure to reach a new height.

And a more prosperous Nanxing Prefecture would be of great benefit to everyone seated at the banquet.

At this thought, everyone felt a sense of delight. As they continued to exchange toasts with Shen Bai, an hour passed by.

Time trickled by.

Amber had eaten its fill and grown a little bored. It set down its chopsticks, its emerald-green eyes darting about, taking in the surroundings.

Shen Bai felt the banquet was heading toward a perfect conclusion. He couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke Amber’s furry ears.

But at that very moment, a voice suddenly cut through the air.

"Lord Shen, everyone else has offered you a toast. So I’ll offer you one, too."

Hearing the voice, Shen Bai turned to see a middle-aged man in purple robes approaching, carrying two large jugs of wine.

Each jug was filled to the brim; the sheer volume was out of the ordinary.

Zui Wujiang stopped before Shen Bai, slammed one jug down on the table, and raised the other. "Lord Shen," he said, "you drink yours dry. I’ll just have a little. My tolerance isn’t very good, you see."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the expressions of everyone present changed. All eyes turned to gauge Shen Bai’s reaction.

At the dinner table, the greatest taboo was to demand another drain their cup while you only took a token sip.

It was a declaration that your status was far superior, a blatant move to put someone in their place.

Everyone there had navigated the treacherous path to their current positions; they all understood exactly what Zui Wujiang was implying.

Dongfang Li’s expression turned thunderous.

He hadn’t wanted to invite Zui Wujiang in the first place, but the man had shown up on his own authority, banking on the status of his sister who lived in a Capital City. And now, he was ruining a perfectly good banquet.

A cold glint flashed in Dongfang Li’s eyes.

Zui Wujiang pressed on, "Lord Shen, my Drunken Sword Sect holds some sway in Nanxing Prefecture. You’re not going to refuse me this little bit of face, are you?"

Shen Bai glanced at the jug on the table. He suddenly reached out, snatched it, and smashed it over Zui Wujiang’s head.

The shattering sound was crisp and clear, like a pin dropping in the sudden silence.

Everyone present was utterly dumbfounded, as if they couldn’t believe what they had just seen.

Nearby lay a handkerchief.

Shen Bai picked it up, slowly wiped his hands, and looked down condescendingly at the stunned Zui Wujiang. "What gives a thing like you the right to drink with this official?"